Indicator



March 24.1925.

Q. w. NIEMAN INDICATOR Filed March '7, 1924 atbozmlf Patented Mar. 24', 1925.

UNITI-:DY STATES CHAUNCY W. NIEMA'N, OF ST. GYECYRGE,` NEWV YORK.

INDICATOR.

Application tiled March 7, 1924-.

To all whom it 'may concern.:

Be it known that I, 'CHAUNCY WQ NIE- n TN, a citizen oi the United States, and residing at St. George, Richmond County,

New York, have invented certain new 'and useful Improvements in Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to indicatin `devices ttor indicating the condition of efletion 'I0 of fluid from a suitable receptacle, or `eX- ample, the gasoline tank of an automobile, and it has tor' an object to rprovide apparatus ot' this character 'which shall be economical to construct and reliable in opera tion.

More particularly my invention has for an object to provide an indicator which shall indicate the exhaustion of fluid from :i receptacle to a predetermined extent, such indicator having for the motivating element hcreot a mechanism which is responsive lto vertical vibrations of a body upon which te receptacle is mounted.

A Further object of my invention is to ""ovide an indicator for `the gasoline tank oiA a motor vehicle which shall include a vertically vibrato@7 system in the tank, the system incorporating a spring and a Weight so that vertical vibrations of the vehicle :so i'fv build up vibrations of the system so C Lt the lattci." has a suiiic'ient amplitude ol .iltiration to actuate a suitable indicator.

' .l am aware that the prior art shows that the principle of vibration indicators for motor vehicle tanks is old; however, all of gr .ch sciiemes ot which I have knowledge depend upon vibration or tilting in horizontal pla-nes or depend upon pendulum aci" m. (Such devices have proved to 4be uni. iahle and not capable of giving strong and certain signals. Appreciating that an ux'itomobile has considerable vertical vibration in operation, I have provided a system which utilizes such vibrations cumulatively until the amplitude of vibrations is Sullieient to actuate a suitable alarm or indicater.

Apparatus made in accordance .with my invention is illustrated on the accompan ing drawings, forming a y'partici this app ication, in which: w

Fig. 1 is a sectional View of a motor Ave- Serial No. 697,514.

hicle rgasoline tank showing my novel type ot' indicator applied thereto;

Fig. E a fragmentary plan view oi? the indicator; and

3, 4, and 5 are detail views ot' modified forms of my indicating' apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings for a b ter understanding of my invention.. in Fi 1, I show a gasolinetank, or env other surf able receptacle, 10 having a filling openi1 11 adapted to receive the indicati dei at. 12;

The indicating device, at 1Q, conipifise an upper cup member 13, preferably provided with exterior threads 14.- to :tit the tlireads'ot the filling opening. In l-Tig 1. I show a tubular member 15 dept `trom the bottom ot the cup meint ir having a bottom 16 adjacent to the hoL of the tank or receptacle 1G, the bottoni ,IIS being provided with a small opening l?, all .tor the purposes to he hereinafter set forth. The indicator or alarm clement .in Fi l is shown as a bell 18 secured in any suL able manner within the cup inen'iber 153. For example, Iv show a cross har 13" cx- Atending across the cup member and Vto which the bell is secured. A clapper ai n i9 is so pivoted at 2O within the bell and it is orovided with al crank portion pivotaltv connected, at 21. to the link Q2, which gages the spring 28 at an intermediate goil` .3

through a5 ot' the latter, thc link passing small opening in the bottom tr member 13. The clapper arm 1S) pA ably carries at. its lower end a clay ring .19.

The crank portion Q1 preferably extends to downwardly so that, in the position oit rest. the lpivotal connection 21 is to or.' side et' the lower end of the link lllhen the pivotal connection 2l. is on the dead. center line, the lower end ot the clapper arm 19 o5 spaced from the hell 1S a distance greater than the thickness ot the chipper ring 1 so that, when the chipper arm 19 dor to a stop at. dead center position, the kine energy of the clapper ring 19 is eiiiecito cause the latter to swing (ptiickl).7 to give the Ibell a quick tap or blow in order that the bell nmy be sounded to the best :idvantage.

The spring 23 is connected to the underside of the cup member 13 in any suitable manner and it is located within the tubular member 15. A weight 26 is suspended from the lower end of the spring 23 and it is guided by the tubular member 15, antifriction rollers 27 being carried by the `weight in order to reduce friction.

The tubular member 15 extends substantially in a vertical direction. Fluid enters through the small opening 17 so that the level in the tubular member is the same as that in the tank. Ordinarily, ifthe weight 26 is submerged, its vibrations, due to vertical movements of the vehicle on which it is mounted, are effectively dampened; however, just as soon as the level falls below the weight, the system vibrates strongly and cumulatively, resulting in sounding of the bell 18 which indicates that the supply of gasoline is getting low.

rlhe small-opening 17 in the bottom 16 of the tubular member effectively prevents inertia effects of the body of gasoline in the tank from acting on the vibratory system with suflicient strength to actuate the indicator.

If desired, apparatus may be incorporated to prevent contact of the clapper ring 19 with the bell 18 until the liquid level in the tank has been reduced to a predetermined extent. To this end, in Fig. 1, I show a float 28 connected to an upstanding member 29, the latter being located between the clapper and the bell until it is-moved out of the way owing to the fall of the level of liquid in the tank. It is to be un-derstood that my improved indicating apparatus operates satisfactorily without the float 28 and the interfering member 29, the restricted flow through the opening 17 throttling inertia eifects so that the amplitude of vibration of the vibratoryv system is insufficient to actuate the alarm.v Also,`as long as vibratory movement of the weight is interfered with by fluid in the tubular member, vibrations cannot build up cumulatively to a sufficient extent to actuate the alarm. The float 28 and the interfering member 29, therefore, constitute an adjunctive arrangement with may sometimes be ,found convenient.

In Fig. 3, I show a modified' form of my indicating apparatus, which is essentially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 except for certain changes in the spring and weight arrangement as well as the bell clapper and its actuating device. I-Iere the clapper 30 has a weighted end 31 and it is pivoted at 32 to swing through a slot 33 in the bottom of the cup member 13. The back side of the clapper is provided with a curved or cam surface 34 for engagement by a swinging arm 35, pivoted to a lug 36 depending from the bottom of the cup member 13.

A Spring 37 is connected to the lug 36 at one end and to a weight 38 at its lower end, the weight being also connected by a link 39 to an intermediate point of the arm 38. In operation, when the level of fluid falls below the weight 38, vibrations build up cumulatively and the clapper 30 is actuated to ring'the bell 18.

In Fig. 4, I show a weight 40 suspended by a spring 41, which is connected to the crank arm 42 of the clapper 43 of the bell 18". In this modification, the clapper is made heavy enough to keep it from engaging the bell until vibrations of sutlicient amplitude are attained. The weight and the spring constitute a vibratory system which acts cumulatively to ring the bell as soon as the level of fluid is reduced sufficiently.

In Fig. v5, I show a'form of my invention in which a weight 45 is connected to an arm 46, which is pivoted at 47, the arm and weight being sustained for vibration in substantially a vertical path by a spiral spring 48 connected at one, end to the arm 46 and at the other end to a stationary support 49. A clapper actuating link 50 engages the arm at an' intermediate point and there is a suiicient amount of lost motion between the two, as by a slot 51, to prevent small vibrations from operating the indicator.

While, in the foregoing description, I have referred to a motor vehicle gasoline tank, it is to be understood that my improved indicator may b e used in connection with any receptacle mounted on a body having vertical vibratory movement; and by vertical vibratory movement is meant movement which is -wholly vertical or move` ment which has a vertical component. Also, while I prefer to use a tubular member 15 to guide the weight member and to guard the vibratory system against excessive inertia effects of the fluid in the tank, as indicated in Fig. 1, yet it is to be under stood that the vibratory system might be mounted freely in a receptacle. Furthermore, while I have shown lthe indicator at the top of the receptacle, it will be obvious that it might be mounted at any suitable place, it being necessary merely to provide suitable linkage connections between the vibratory system and the indicator.

While I have shown my invention in a plurality of forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without depart ing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination, with a receptacle adapted to be mounted on a body subject to vertical Vibratory movements, of an indica tor, including a moveable element, vibr; tory mechanism including,` a Weiglitinoveable in a substantially vert'eal path and an elastic device for supporting the Weight and an operating connection between said mechanism and the moveable element of the indicator.

2. The combination, With a receptacle adapted to be mounted on a vibratory body, of an indicator including e moveable element, vvibi'iltOlY mechanism including a weight moveable in substantially a` vertical path in the receptacle and ineens for snpporting the \\ei;1l1t,and a. link for commu- ,nimiting` motion of the Weight to the move able elenient oit the indicator.

3. The combination, With a receptacle for fluid adapted to be mounted on a body subject to vertical vib 1ations, of an indicator, includin, a moveable element, vertically vibi'atory ineens adapted to be submerged in lnid when the receptacle is illed to a predetermined extent, and means 'for tranen it ting motion from tbe vibratory means 'to the moveable element ot the indicator.

4f. The combination, with a rem l i :wie :tor luid adapted to be mounted on e` body Stbject to vertical vibrations, ot e bell, :i elapper for the bell, a weight in the receptacle, a Spring for Supporting the Weight, :ind e. link for connecting the Spring; to the clappfir ot' the bell.

5. The combination, with a receptacle for fluid adapted to be mounted on a bodf,7 sul ject to Vertical Vibratory movements, a bell, a clapper for the bell, verticallyvibratory mechanism in e receptacle, and a lint; connected to Said mechanism and coopera ing with the clappel.' to ring the bell when vibretorjyv movements are not impeded if fluid in the receptacle.

(i. The con'ibination, with a receptacle for fluid adapted to be mounted ona body Subject to vertical vibrations, oi" abell, a elapper pivotally mounted with respect to the bell and having an actuating,r crank portion, a Weight in the receptacle, a Spring,y for supporting the Weight, and a linl; :for connecting the spring to tbe crank portion.

7. The combinr-Ltion, with a. rec-"Maele adapted to be mounted on :i body soll `vertical vibratory movements, of an indi`cator, including a moveable element, a Weght moveable in a 'vertical path in the recept cle, a spring for supporting the Weight, and a. link for transmitting Vibratory movements oit the spring and Weight of predetermined n'uignitude to the moveable @lenient oi the indicator.

The combination, with a fuel tanl; Yfor a motor vehicle, of a bell. at the top ot tbe tank, said bell including a moveable ei.- inent, means subject to the level ci? lio,- uid in the tank for operating the 1noVea Y and a e connect :nid the 9. "wie .Lio nectio inni, an f ic said indi eter eieinei'...

and it, and ineens roi' trainer. torv incrementi; of said inocl nioifeable element ot the indioet f l. The combination., i h a i cle i'uel tank having a filling ope g', e cup fitting the opening, an indicator in the cup,

said indicator including a moveable element, a tubular member depending from the cup, said tubular member having a bottom provided with a small opening therein, vibratory mechanism in the tubular member including a weight and a spring for supporting the weight, and means for transmitting vibratory movements of said mechanism to the moveable elementof the indicator.

15. The combination, with motor vehicle fuel tank having a filling opening, a cup fitting the opening, an indicator in the cup, said indicator including a moveable element, a tubular member depending from the cup, said tubular member having a bottom provided with a small opening, vibratory mechanism in the tubular member including a weight and a spring for supporting the weight, a link for transmitting vibra-tory movements of said mechanism to the moveable element of the indicator, and means for preventing operation of the moveable element of theindicator to an operative degree until the quantity of fuel in the tank is reduced to a predetermined extent.

16. 'The combination, with a motor vehicle fuel tank having athreaded filling opening, of a cup member having exterior threads to t the threads of the lling opening and having an opening in the bottom thereof, indicator elements in the cup meniber including a gong and a clapper, one of said elements being movable, vertically vibratory mechanism in the tank including a weight and a spring for supporting the weight, and a connection between said mechanism and the movable one of said indicator elements and extending through the opening in the bottom of the cup member. y

17. The combination, with a motor vehicle fuel tank having a threaded filling opening, of a cup member having external threads to `iit the filling opening threads and having an opening in the bottom thereof, a tubular member depending from the cup member, indicator elements in the cup member including a gong and clapper, one of said elements being movable, verti` cally vibratory mechanism in the tubular member including a weight and a spring for supporting the weight, and an operating connection between said mechanism and the movable one of said indicator elements.

18. An indicating device comprising a cup member, a tubular member secured to the bottom of the cup member and adapted to be disposed normally in substantially a vertical position for operation, a weight in the tubular member, a spring for supporting the weight within the tubular member, an indicator in the cup member, said indicator including a moveable element, and a link for transmitting vibratory movement-s of the spring and weight to the moveable element of the indicator.

19. The combination, with a motor vehicle fuel tank, of an indicator, including a moveable element, a substantially vertical tubular member suspended from the top of the tank, a weight moveable in the tubular member, a spring for supporting the weight, and tension means connected to the moveable element of the indicator and supporting the spring.

20. The combination, with a motorvehicle fuel tank having a filling opening, a cup member fit-ting the opening, a bell in the cup member, a clapper for the bell, a tubular member depending from the cup member, said tubular member having a bottom provided with a small opening, a weight moveable in the tubular member, a spring for supporting the weight, and a link for conA nect-ing the spring to the clapper, said link extending through an opening in the bottom of the cup member.

21. The combination., with an indicator, including a moveable element, of vertically vibratory mechanism for actuating the moveable element of the indicator and dashpot means` for checking vibrations of the vibratory mechanism.

22. rlhe combination, with a receptacle adapted to contain fluid, of an indicator for indicating the condition of depletion of fluid in the receptacle, said receptacle including a moveable element, a vibratory system for actuating the moveable element of the indicator, and dash-pot means in open communication with the interior of the receptacle to vdampen vibrations of the system until the level in the receptacle is suiiiciently reduced.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature atNew York city, N. Y. Co., and State of New York, this 28th day of Feby., 1924:.

CHAUNCY YV. NIEMAN.

til) 

